Chapter 67 - Luckless Boss Liu (Liu Bei) (1/2)

Chapter 67 – Luckless Boss Liu (Liu Bei)

Translated by Bloodfalcon

Let us move our POV from Lu Bu and co, to the other warlords.

Xu Du, the Han Dynasty new capital.

”Crash! Bump!”

From Cao Cao's study room there are screaming sound and insulting words as well as something like porcelain are breaking.

“Did Milord have been like this all the time?!” Outside Cao's study there is a middle-aged scholar inquiring the bodyguard.

“Reporting to Minister Cheng! Milord has been indeed like this all these times!” The bodyguard replied toward middle-aged scholar.

This middle-aged scholar who just inquiring the bodyguard is Cheng Yu. He can be considered as one of Cao Cao's top advisors, his courtesy name is Zhongde. He is from Yan Province's Dong'e County of Dong Commandery. Originally his given name is Cheng Li, after dreaming that he is holding the sun in Mount Tai, he changed his name to Cheng Yu. Once he led people to resist Yellow Turban in Dong Commandery. In Chuping Third year (192 AD), he was appointed by Cao Cao as Prefect of Shouzhang in Shandong, Yan Province, Since then he has been loyal to Cao Cao and offer his stratagem and advice wherever Cao Cao goes.

TL: This is Cheng Yu who is Cao Cao's top advisors , not Cheng Yu who is Liu Mang's subordinate.

For more information about reign year

Before, when Cao Cao obtained both Xu Province and Yu Province, the one who offer stratagem is Cheng Yu. So, after Cao Cao invites the Han Emperor to Xu Du, for his contribution, Cheng Yu was given one of the nine minister position, and were given title Administrator of Jiyin and Yan Province's commander-in-chief.

“Lord Zhongde, usually dispelling Milord's worry is my job, but now....yeah!” Said a sickly scholar from behind.

TL: After talking about it amongst translators, we decided that Gong is best translated as Lord.

“I already said that big-eared bastard is not a good man to deal with. Many times I have proposed to Milord to kill him, but some people put some sweet words on him, so Milord not slash him. Just when one got good time, which is after expelling Lu Bu, who knows after that he actually acquired Xu Province again!” Cheng Yu's words all have tone of lamentation but if one listening closely, it is actually condeming the sickly scholar behind him.

“Oh!” Beside that sickly scholar there is another scholar smiling awkwardly. That Cheng Yu who just put slanderous remark is his uncle, although he also urged Cao Cao to take out Liu Bei, but he as the younger generation, there is some taboo regarding badmouthing your elders (Liu Bei).

“Gongda! According to you, what is our next step?!” Cheng Yu inquired. That awkwardly smiling scholar is Xun You, his courtesy name is Gongda. Xun You is one of Xun family and their family is all of the top advisors, and such fate also come to Xun You as he is rank together with his uncle as Cao Cao's top advisors. And also why Cao Cao can have such a strong foundation, it is thanks to Xun You.

“Liu Xuande has killed General Che Zhou, and seized Xu Province back. Now our army confronting with Yuan Benchu in Guandu. War can erupt at any time. As this war concerns our life or death, there is no room for error. Xu Province is an important place, and why we attack Lu Bu at the first place? Because Xu Province is the gateway to our Yan Province, one other than us who grasp it can point their blade against us immediately! No matter who occupy Xu Province, Liu Bei or Lu Bu, we must either drive them away or kill them. We must occupy Xu Province at this critical juncture!” Xun You really worthy as the top adviser, he really can analyze the situation quickly.

“This Big-eared Liu must be backed by an expert!” The sickly scholar, Guo Jia also opened his mouth. From four of Cao Cao top advisers, all three are here. On Guo Jia's hands he waved his war fan, replacing his sickly appearance with a dignified and brilliant scholar look, letting Cheng Yu felt irritated.

“Having an expert backing him, how that bastard do not want to retake Xu Province?!” Cheng Yu said it with coughed voice.

Cheng Yu really not feeling well these days, so Guo Jia did not angry “When I say expert, I did not meant that expert want to help Liu Xuande, but actually want to harm him!”

“Want to harm Liu Xuande?!” Xun You and Cheng Yu both are thinking what is Liu Bei's intent to hid his blade at that time in Xu Du, is it to betray Cao Cao? Exactly that is the point, first he earn Cao Cao's trust by supporting him to battle Yuan Shao in Guandu. And then he kill General Che Zhou to retake Xu Province and he bid his time, betting which side is more favorable either Cao Cao or Yuan Shao. If Yuan Shao won, then at that time Cao Army will retreat to the south and at that time, and at that time Liu Bei who wield great power and great arrogance will deliver let Cao Army pass and maybe even following him to retreat, in order to recuperate. So, at the same time, Liu Bei army will increase in its power while Cao Cao army will get weaker.

If Cao Cao who are the one won this Guandu war, Yuan Shao still has many assets left. And because of that, Yuan Shao did not have to worry of losing one decisive battle. If he lost, he can recover in a short time but he can no longer expand to south, while Old Cao who have win the battle, it is a wounded victory. At that time his strength can only use to defend himself. So, if Cao Cao win, he can just go into Yuan Shao's domain and gain 4 provinces at once: Ji Province, Qing Province, You Province and Bing Province. If Yuan Shao win, he can just retreat to Yuan Shu's domain, gaining Yu Province and Yang Province as a result.

So, one can say, no matter the result, it is Liu Xuande who obtained the spoil of war! This kind of calculation certainly was done by an expert.